Blind Trust (2007) - full transcript

- Hmm! You eat like a rabbit.

- I can feed myself. I'm a
professional, you know.

- I've found that men can't do
too many things at once.

Yeah.

You should learn
to take a gift.

♪ Dance music

[ Laughing ]

He's a nutritionist.
Can you believe that?

He eats like a rabbit!

God, he is so cut!

You jab his stomach and
you break your finger.



- Please, more details!

- The thing is, he's shy.

When you talk, he
actually listens.

- Tell me he's got
a twin brother.

- You're booked through Spring!
- Get out!

- Whatever happened

with that university professor?

The one with the doctorate?

What? He was nice.

- When he got excited
his plugs turned red.

It was like going to bed
with a traffic light.

[ Laughing ]

- I just got that!

[ Laughing ]



Oh, wow!

God, you got more of these?
It's become an obsession!

You know, you're never going
to go to any of these places.

- We all look at pictures
of the things we want.

They're just pictures.

- Thank you.

- I went to the Antilles once.

Windward Islands. Senior trip.

I never wanted to leave.
You get so lost there.

- Yeah, you got that
look on your face.

- First love.

Once you find your island,
it's your island forever.

[ Both laughing ]

Hey, court reporters can
dream too, you know.

- Mmm...

[ Man sighing ]

- I didn't wear
you out, did I?

- You do occasionally.

- We'll have to
send you to the gym.

- I go every day!

- No. Really?
I didn't...

- Ooh!

[ Laughing ]

- You know, if I
didn't have a roommate

I'd invite you to stay.

Cut down on the travel time.

- You mean, to the bedroom?

- Mmm-hmm.

There are other
places, you know.

Restaurants, parks, museums...

- Absolutely.

I'd like to spend a day

walking through the old
ethnic neighbourhoods.

It's like walking into
a different country,

and you can eat cheap.

[ Laughing ]

Mmm...

[ Siren outdoors ]

- That's my roommate. Diane.

She's like the
sister I never had.

And much cuter.

Yeah.

[ Laughing ]

- Thank you.

- Come on, it's
right over here.

I swear to God, Bobby, these hot
dogs are a religious experience.

- I told you I don't
want to eat junk food.

- Don't be so inflexible.
I'm about to change your life.

Whoa!

- You OK?

- I'm fine.

- Let's grab some hot dogs.

- I know when
quarterlies are due.

No, I'm not giving
you actuarial approval.

Because if there's a collision

between the physicians
and underwriters

we're gonna flag an audit.

And we broker viaticals
on the same policies.

Think country club
prison, Frank.

Fresh air, exercise...

Yeah. Ha ha!

No.

- Hey, babe.

- Hey.

What's this?

Champagne? What's going on?

- You have a lot
of catching up to do.

[ Laughing ]

What can I say? I just
felt like a party.

- It isn't even Friday.

- Who cares?

- Ah! Cheers.

He hasn't called in days.

I call and I get his machine.

If I'm getting dumped,
a note would be nice.

Flowers would be nice.

- You've got guys
lined up down the street.

- Yeah, sure.

Hey, what's going on
with you? I need details.

- Come on. I want to
show you something.

- What?

- Close your eyes.

- Oh!

Wow!

- You wear this,

bias-cut black satin,
stiletto heels,

you'll be taking scalps.

It's called the Willow Chain.

- God, it has a name?

- One of a kind, yes.

"Willow" for sadness.
Weeping willow.

And "Chain" for bondage.

It's how some people see love.

The gold is the branch
of the willow tree.

Diamonds are the
leaves hanging down.

- Where did you get this?

- And old boyfriend.

- Oh, the one we
don't talk about.

- The same.

- Are you still seeing him?

- No.

People disappoint one another.

It's hard to avoid,
hard to make right.

You like it...

it's yours.

- Get out! You can't
give this away!

It must have cost a fortune!

- It's all paste.

- Oh.

It's so beautiful.

I love you.

- I know.

[ Car horns honking ]

[ Screaming ]

[ Siren ]

- Second floor?

- So I told him. I said,
"There's no way. It was in 324."

- Hey.
- Hey.

What have we got?

- Double homicide.

Victims: Diane Summers,
Bobby Rose.

Suspect's backing up,
breaks a heel.

Wacks her head on the door.

A lot of cash.
About half a million.

Seems she didn't take any.

She drops her
gun on the way out.

She makes it as far
as the outside hall,

neighbour sees her, calls 911,

cops find her
semi-conscious on the floor.

He takes one in the pump,
dies instantly.

The girl, she gets 4.

[ Machine beeping ]

- Hi.

Shatz.

[ Phone ringing ]

Ha ha! See?

I got you on speed dial,
but you never return my calls.

- Well, I'm rude, Jerry.

- So, you think she did it?

- You think Mennick's
interested?

- Maybe.
- Too neat, isn't it?

- Who's the A.D.A?

- Rolly Wyker.

It's a slam dunk.
Murder one.

You didn't hear?

Yeah, Rolly's going
to be our next D.A.

He's grooming him
for the needle.

[ Car horns honking ]

- Diane Summers and Bobby Rose

were two young people in
the prime of their lives.

We bring before this court

a brutal double-murder,
Your Honor.

The state asks for remand.

- The defendant
is the third victim

of this crime, Your Honor.

Zero priors.

She is a member

of a distinguished
professional society

and requires medical
supervision.

We ask for surrender
of passport

and bail to be set at
the court's discretion.

The judge set bail at $2 million
with surrender of passport.

OK.

- You just covered a
$2 million bond?

- It's tax deductible if
you do a David Copperfield.

[ Chuckling ]

So, what do you
know about L.G. Mennick?

- I read the papers.

- Don't believe half of it.

Look, it's too late
to go to the office.

We'll go to the apartment.

[ Alarm beeping ]

[ Knocking ]

Cassie Stewart,

L.G. Mennick.

- Miss Stewart.

How are you feeling?

- Uh, I'm OK.

- It's after 5:00.
Would anyone like a drink?

- Please.

- Please sit.

You're very careful
in your appearance.

You have to be.

In your business,
mistakes are costly.

You dress well above your
pay grade. That's smart.

- You know my pay grade?

- I know everything about you.

I hire people for
that purpose.

Cheers.

By the way,

do you know what Jerry
Plett is doing here?

Obviously he's no
lion of the law.

His job is to deny anything you
might repeat of what I've said

should you choose to do so.

First of all, I don't do
pro bonowork pro bono.

I make my money
in corporate law.

I take on these high-profile
criminal cases such as yours

to keep my name in the papers.

I'm using you.
Is that acceptable?

- Yes.

- When my client's
life is at stake

I'm not going into court,
I'm going into war.

And everyone who works
for me understands that.

You've been charged
with capital murder.

There's no exculpatory
evidence in your defence.

You were arrested on the
premises, gun in hand,

powder residue on your skin.

We're not off to
a very good start.

Now there's one thing I
must make perfectly clear

above all else.

You must trust me
with everything

most especially the truth.

You must trust me more than
a surgeon with a scalpel.

That's the deal.

I understand.

- Now I know right now
you're living in extremis.

It's very hard.

But you carry yourself well. You
have poise and self-confidence.

We'll take that into court.

- I'm not as strong
as you think I am.

- You don't know
how strong you are.

We are going to win.

Even if you acted in
the heat of the moment,

Rolly Wyker has accused
you of premeditation

I am going to destroy his case.

You are not going to
plead to a lesser offense.

And you will never see
the inside of a jail.

Now, I have a great
many more questions

but they can wait until morning.

We need to get you settled in.

Would you like a hotel
suite or an apartment?

- I want to go home.

- Miss Stewart,
it's a crime scene.

I don't think it's
been released.

- It's my home.

- Get it released.

- I'll go in with you.

- Oh no, I'm fine.

I can't believe L.G. Mennick
is defending me.

- Are you kidding? He skipped
his vacation to take this case.

He was afraid
Dershowitz would grab it.

- Well, I'm glad
I met you first.

- So are we.

Look, if you need anything

you call me, 24-7.

- Thank you.

- Good night.
- You too. Good night.

- Keep an eye on her.

- Miss Stewart,
I'm Detective Rudy Shatz.

May I come in for a second?

- I'm not going to talk to you.

- You don't need to say a word.

Thank you.

I understand you're
represented by counsel.

I don't expect you
to answer any questions.

- So you're here because...

- Um, I love old movies.

I go to these art houses, watch
all the old black and whites.

- I can't wait to hear
where this is going.

- You're in the insurance
business. You're an actuary.

My favorite insurance movie
was Double Indemnity.

Edward G. Robinson tells his
boss he knows the actuary tables

and no one's
ever committed suicide

jumping off a train...

- Going 15 miles an hour.

- Right.

I'm kind of in the
same business.

And I can tell you that

first-time murderers
leave everything

but a trail of bread crumbs.

But how often are they so inept

that they knock
themselves out on a door?

I know, I'm in the
enemy camp, but...

smart people keep
their options open.

In case you want to talk to me.

- My attorney has people
watching out front.

- They try their best to blend.
How did you know?

- You have rust on your hands.

- I came in by the fire escape

and I'll see myself
out the same way.

You know, it was...

It was nice to have met you.

Dumb thing to say.
Good day, Miss Stewart.

- Detective.

- [Reporters]: Miss Stewart!
Cassie!

- Cassie, did you
kill Bobby and Diane?

- Stay with me.
It's not far.

- Cassie, are you
going to testify?

- [All]: Ah!

- Cassie, how are you feeling?

Cassie, do you have
any comments to make?

Anything at all?

- That was the scene today
at the courthouse

immediately following the first hearing for Cassie Stewart.

The trial promises to
have all the elements

of a torrid romance-mystery.

- Well, there it is.

Innocence under
attack by the system.

Almost looks like rape.

Tell me prospective jurors
aren't going to see that.

- It was a set-up.

Um, we started it.

That's why I was in the
right place when you fell.

- I know, you could've
re-injured your head.

If you had, I would've sued them
for millions on your behalf.

- Can we do it again?

[ Chuckling ]

- We'll see what
Hobbs can cook up.

Right now I want you to relax

and talk to me about what you
can remember from that day.

- We were having problems
at work that day.

Problems. I thought
those were problems.

Anyway, in the middle of the day

I came back to get something
off of my hard drive.

And as I went down the hallway

I saw Bobby first.

Lying there.

Just out of the shower, I guess.

Then, Diane.

And I thought two things.

"Why are they dead?"

Then I thought,
"Why are they together?"

They never knew each other.

I mean, they never told me...

they knew each other.

- You were seeing Bobby Rose?

Did Diane ever poach
like that before?

- No. She was like my sister.

She was my best friend.

- Do you remember anything else
from that moment you saw them?

- No.

- You don't remember
picking up a gun?

- I knew she kept one.

I hate guns. I would
never touch it.

- Did the doctor say anymore
of the short-term memory

might be recoverable?

- They don't know.

- I wouldn't remember anything.
That's when I hit my head.

- OK. She didn't speak
to the police?

- Not a word.

- How long had you
known Bobby Rose?

- We just met.

But we connected right away.

- Did you go out to
restaurants, theatre, movies?

- No.

We stayed at our apartments.

- Did anyone ever see
you with Bobby Rose?

A friend, acquaintance,
stopped to say hello?

Were you ever in a bar together,
or even a newsstand?

- No.

- The prosecution
has no witness?

- No one on the list.

- So as far as they can prove,
you never knew Bobby Rose.

- No.

- No money was taken.

Where's the motive?

- The state will be seeking charges of first-degree murder.

Ladies and gentlemen,
thank you for your time.

- After hearing the
prosecution's opening statement,

we have a mystery.

Why is Roland Wyker himself

trying this case?

As he describes the
events of the day

it's open-and-shut,
a done deal, a slam dunk.

Even a third-year law
student could win it.

Don't be fooled.

He has no idea what
happened that day.

He has no witness, there is no
purpose or motive to the crime

as he'll describe it.

He's stumbling
around in the dark

telling you the
light is blinding.

He has a theory.

So does the defence.

And if our theory is still
standing at the end of the day

it will prove beyond
a reasonable doubt

that Cassie Stewart
never harmed a soul.

The victim was killed
with her own gun.

Capital murder?
Man one, tops.

Rolly has to make his bones.

Tell her.

- Well, the joke
going around downtown

they want to make death row
look more like America.

- Gallows humor.

I'll make 'em choke on it.

Cassie, you're an actuary.

Your world is analytical.

A trial is theatre.

Two people performing for
a small audience of 12.

- I've given this
a lot of thought.

- And?

- It's simple, really.

The prosecutor will argue

there were 3 people
in that room.

We have to argue there were 4.

- Precisely.

Where's the murderer?

- Right there.

- No, that's Cassie Stewart.

You don't know
she's the murderer.

The jury hasn't spoken yet.

- That's our position
based on the evidence.

- No, Detective.
That's your theory.

I have a theory too.

- I bet you'd like
to share that with us.

- Well, yes I would.

- I'm sorry, Your Honor,
but who's the witness?

[ All laughing ]

[ Judge bangs gavel ]

- He's still there.

Cassie enters the room

sees the victims' bodies,

he comes up behind her

reaches around

and slams her head against
the edge of the door.

- She's got powder soot
on her hand.

- Oh well, there goes my theory.

Powder soot...

That's the stuff that
blows back off the gun.

- Yes.

- Detective, if I put
a gun in your hand

and pushed your finger
against the trigger,

you'd have that stuff all over
your skin too, wouldn't you?

- Yes.

- OK.

One more thing...

Is it your theory

that my client killed the
victims out of jealousy

or to rob them
of some $500,000?

- Could be both.

- For the purpose of a trial

where a young woman's
life is at stake,

could you pull one of
them out of the air?

No? No idea?

Robbery?

No, the money's still there.

What do you think? Jealousy?

- Could be.

- Could be.

Detective, do you
have any evidence

that Cassie Stewart
even knew Bobby Rose?

- No.

- No.

You have no motive.

Thank you.

- Court will adjourn until
9:00 tomorrow morning.

- Re-examine every
piece of evidence.

Every piece.
Get me a motive, Rudy.

- You're good.

[ Chuckling ]

- Just legal judo.

They throw their weight at you,

you knock 'em on their ass.

- God, the first time
I ever saw this room

I was so sick I
could hardly stand up.

Now it feels like a sanctuary.

- I'm glad.

- That's really beautiful.

I love the way the moss hangs
around the oak like a shroud.

You did this!

- I started studying
design when I was 5.

My father was a tradesman.

In his business circle,
everyone worked on trust.

When I was 8, I learned
everyone needs a lawyer.

[ Chuckling ]

Becoming an actuary is as
hard as passing the bar.

What drew you to
that line of work?

- I think I've always
been fascinated by

how things can go wrong.

In grad school,
I liked chaos theory.

Nothing can bring
order to the world.

But being an actuary,
an oddsmaker,

at least you're not afraid
to cite the worst case.

I'm aware that we can lose.

- I'm not an oddsmaker, Cassie.
I'm a winner.

And if I don't like the odds,
I remake the game.

And if I'm behind in
the game, I reinvent it.

Don't lose your courage, Cassie.

And don't ever lose
your trust in me.

I'll never lose my faith in you.

- It's hard for me
to trust people.

They're there one moment,

and then they're gone.

And they leave you with riddles.

- I don't mind yuppies.

What I mind is a
yuppie standing there,

holding up the whole
cappuccino line,

reading his e-mails
on his Blackberry.

- What are you doing
in a cappuccino line?

- I was getting
a regular coffee.

- Your prosecutor's
getting his ass whipped.

- He's got two motives.
He's arguing with himself.

- What's this?

- The victim's boyfriends.

She got around.

- Hmm!

Make sure every one of these
Romeos has an iron-clad alibi.

What is it, Shatz?

- I just went through Cassie
Stewart's safety deposit box.

- Detective Shatz,

the police searched
the safety deposit box

in the name of
Cassandra Stewart.

Please tell the court,

was this necklace among
the contents of the box?

- I forget about that.

- Yes, sir.
That was the necklace.

Would you read the initials
engraved on the inside, please?

- "D.S."

- D.S. The initials
of the victim.

- Your Honor,

the defence will stipulate that
the necklace did belong

to the victim Diane Summers.

- No further questions,
Your Honor.

- What about this necklace?

- Diane gave it to me
the night before she died.

I really loved it.

Now it seems it was
a consolation prize

or an apology for taking Bobby.

Or a goodbye present.

I put it in a safety
deposit box the next morning.

- What's it worth?

- Not much.
The stones were paste.

- If the jury is led
to believe you stole it

they might believe worse of you.

- I didn't steal it.

She said it was a gift
from an old boyfriend.

She didn't want it anyway.

- I believe you.

But you're the only one
that can testify to that.

Rolly'd love to get
you on the stand.

- I'll testify.

- Then he would do cross.

And I warned you,

a trial is like theatre.

Often cheap theatre.

And he would use you like a
pinata in front of that jury.

I won't allow it.

Let him jingle his trophy.

Look, you've been shuffling back
and forth every night.

I've got 5 bedrooms here. You're
more than welcome to stay.

- "Don't do it, darling,"
said the spider to the fly.

Sorry to not call ahead.

I have some papers that need
your sig. Hello, Jerry.

- Hello, Mrs. Mennick.

- These could've been
messengered to the office.

- That's no fun!

- Cassie Stewart, this is...

- I'm Christine Mennick, dear.

I'm my husband's wife.

- How do you do?

- He just hates it
when I let myself in.

Whatever happened
to your vacation?

I thought you'd be
in Italy by now

sipping an Assisi Rosso
on the Piazza Venezia.

- Had to cancel.

- She looks like a very good
reason indeed.

- Oh no, I...
- Be confident, my dear.

Georgie's secret is
that he always knows

more than everybody else.

Thank you, darling.

Bye-bye, Jerry.

[ Door alarm beeping ]

- Excuse me.

- I didn't know
he was married.

- He doesn't advertise.

They couldn't
agree on a settlement

so she keeps him on
a very short leash.

It's tough on a man like L.G.

You know, she really
didn't need his signature.

She was just coming
around to check you out.

- That was awkward.

- No, I apologize.

- Do you have doubts about me?

- No!

I believe you when you
say you can't remember.

It's good enough for me.

- I could never
hurt Diane, ever.

I didn't know Bobby very well.
I wouldn't have fought for him.

I have a theory.

- Please.
- About the necklace.

Why make something so beautiful
and put it in paste?

Why not use real diamonds?

- Travel money?
- Yeah.

Half a million dollars.

Could that be the value
of the original stones?

- But why put them in paste?
Why not sell it and leave town?

- The only boyfriend that
Diane never talked about.

Why? She's scared.

And maybe he's obsessed with
her. Maybe he's a gangster.

He buys her half a million
worth in jewelry.

He means to keep her.

If she ever makes a run for it,

she's going to need some
cash, not a fancy necklace.

And she puts it in paste
because she's still seeing him

and he wants to see his
diamonds around her neck.

- That's an interesting theory.

You should write
detective novels.

How would I use that in court?

- You're the lawyer.

- I'd need an expert witness.

- What? What are
you going to do?

- Rolly took a shot at us,

and now it's our turn.

Now, Mr. Orick, those
aren't real diamonds?

- No, they're paste.

- These artificial stones,
so-called "paste"

are they the original stones?

- No, I removed several
at your request

and found a thin residue
of glue below this setting.

It would make no sense to
put artificial stones

in a piece this fine.

It isn't just jewelry.
This is a work of art.

- A work of art,
an expression of devotion...

Could you give us a rough
estimate of their value?

- $450,000, $500,000?

- Or roughly the
same amount of cash

found in the victim's suitcase!

- Your Honor!

- A court reporter
and a nutritionist.

Someone had to pay for
this high-end vacation.

- Objection, Your Honor!
Conjecture!

- Maybe he didn't
know he was paying

until he walked in on them.

- That's enough!

Sustained!

- No further questions.

Your witness.

[ Laughing ]

- Thank you.

- You're the man!

- You were amazing!

- I think Rolly
just lost his jury.

- Cheers!

Somebody made the necklace.

- Jerry's making calls.
We'll locate him.

- I have another theory.

- Shoot.
- He's dead.

Just say for the moment
that the motive is jealousy.

The man who killed Diane
gave her the necklace.

He can't leave
the jeweller alive.

- How do we find
a dead jeweller?

- That's the only kind I can
find. I'm an actuary.

There are tables for death
according to profession.

We start with age.

It probably took an experienced
hand to make this piece.

You figure in time period, start
with the date of the murder.

Then you narrow it down to
location until there

are fewer people to say,
"Do you do custom design?"

If he had life insurance,
he can be found.

Find the jeweller,
search his records,

find the boyfriend,
find the killer.

- How long would it take?
- About a week.

- It won't work.
- Why not?

- I'll have you
acquitted in 3 days.

How would you like
to work for me?

You can have Jerry's job.

- Rolly, it's Rudy Shatz.

I got something for you.

[ Gavel pounding ]

- Order!

- Detective, what can you tell
us about these photographs?

- The police made
these enlargements

from prints we received
by messenger

from an anonymous source.

- Let the record show,
Your Honor,

that the two individuals
identified in these photos

are Cassandra Stewart

and the victim, Bobby Rose.

- I'm supposed to believe

someone took pictures
of us in the park

then anonymously
dropped them off

just in time for the prosecution
to wrap up their case?

That's doesn't smell to you?

- Like a dead mackerel.

- I'd bug Bobby
to go to the park

but he was distant that day,

like he brought me
there to say goodbye.

- Or to be
photographed with him.

- Somebody could've been
following him.

He was in and out
of that building.

Bobby and Diane were
manipulative, yes,

but I can't believe

that they would purposefully
put me in jeopardy.

- But they did.

- Jealously was a motive.

Cassie Stewart killed
her friend and her lover

because they betrayed her.

She probably would have
stolen had not chance,

in this case, a broken heel,
intervened.

But that doesn't concern us.

What does concern us,
ladies and gentlemen,

is how she killed,
in cold blood,

out of hatred and envy.

I thank you for your time.

- Let me testify!

- I have no new evidence
to alter the fact

that we've rested our case.

- Well, invent something.
We'll score points indirect.

- Thank you, Jerry.

No, I intend to win this
case in closing arguments.

[ Sirens ]

The prosecution
has a photograph.

Cassandra Stewart
kissing Bobby Rose.

Therefore, she killed him.

He's asking you
to make this leap

because his evidence doesn't
support his allegation.

I'm going to tell you
what this is all about.

You're not supposed to read the
papers or watch television

or you'd know that this
prosecution is about politics.

It's about making death row
look more like America.

- In light of
last-minute evidence

not substantially refuted
in the closing arguments

by famed criminal defense
attorney L.G. Mennick,

who claimed the trial was
a cynical attempt

to make death row look
more like America,

a phrase once used by
Attorney General Janet Reno.

And now for the recent
results of our poll

as to the innocence or guilt
of Cassie Stewart

85% of those polls believe that Cassie Stewart is guilty,

while only 15% believe her
to be innocent.

Clearly, this is
an overwhelming

indictment of guilt
from our audience.

And now to the latest

on what's causing the above-
average temperatures

in our forecast, we turn things over to our meteorologist...

- Come on...

Bobby...

You saw our picture...

- First love...

Once you find your island
that's your island forever.

[ Sobbing ]

[ Chatter ]

[ Loud knocking ]

- Miss Stewart!

- Mr. Mennick, are you in
communication with your client?

- Yes, we were, Your Honor.

We sent a car for her.

- The verdict will be
rendered in absentia.

[ All talking ]

Order!

- All right, everybody!
Listen up!

Find Cassandra Stewart
and bring her in!

- Where would she go?

- Her parents are dead.

The maternal grandmother
who raised her is dead.

She has no other relatives.

Tapped her employer's phone,
she hasn't contacted them.

- How many cops
have her picture?

- 123 precincts,

patrol, transit, traffic,

task force, auxiliary...

There's no place she can hide.

[ Phone ringing ]

- Hello?

- I'm sorry.

- Cassie?

- I'm sorry about the bail.

- Forget about it.
Where are you?

- Are you still my lawyer?

- I'll always be your lawyer.

Cassie, I beg you.
Please come in.

I'll win this.
I'll win it on appeal.

This just makes
it more difficult.

- Let me get back to you,
please. Thank you.

[ Dial tone ]

- By now, she
could be in Montana.

- Or Marrakesh.

- Thanks for your help.
We have her passport.

- You can get a
passport for $100.

[ Phone ringing ]

Hello.

- It's Cassie Stewart.

- Miss Stewart! Where are you?

- You told me
to keep my options open.

- Yes.

- Did you look for the jeweller
who made the necklace?

- Actually, no.
We're looking for you.

- I think that whoever gave
Diane the necklace,

an old boyfriend, killed her.

You find the jeweller,
you find the old boyfriend,

you find the killer.

- There you go.
Have a good day.

[ Police radio ]

- The number you have called
is no longer in service.

[ Gunshot ]

[ Gunshots ]

- L.G...

- What makes you
so innocuous, Jerry?

Is there any blood
in those veins?

Everyday you look forward to
hanging by your fingernails

and hoping that
I'm in good humor.

What does it feel like hold
your temper everyday, huh?

- Well, I would answer that
a necessary part of ambition

is self-control.

- You endure my abuse because
you stuck around too long.

You have too much invested

to start over in
someone's mail room.

[ Phone ringing ]

Hello.

- I found the jewelry store.
- Cassie?

- I found the design. It was in
the basement of the store.

I found the design
for Diane's necklace.

- The Willow Chain?

- Uh, yeah.

The place was burned down.
The jeweller's dead.

- OK, uh...

Give me the location.

Where are you now? Cassie?

- Check it out.
I'll call you back.

- It's called the Willow Chain.

It's called the Willow Chain.

- God, it has a name?

- One of a kind, yes.

- Oh my God...

- I didn't know that Diane's
necklace had a name.

- What the hell are
you talking about?

- The necklace. The one
we saw in court.

You called it the Willow Chain.

- No, I didn't.

- Yeah, just now, to Cassie.

- Yeah? So?

- She never mentioned it. I just
didn't know it had a name.

- Yeah. She told me.

- Well, that's good.

Otherwise it would come
as quite a shock to her

to hear you mention the
name Willow Chain.

- Yeah.

Yeah.

- Sorry, did you
want some, Rudy?

[ Phone ringing ]

- Hello?

- Detective?
- Miss Stewart?

- L.G. Mennick
knew Diane Summers.

- And you know this...

- Depositions, 3 days' worth.

Mennick was Chief Counsel
on a civil case.

Diane Summers was the
stenographer. I have her notes.

- But that doesn't
mean he knew her.

- He knew her.

The necklace, it was a one-of-
a-kind. A work of art.

It had a name. Four people
knew this name.

The person who gave it to her,

the jeweller
who made it, Diane,

and Diane told me the
night she gave it to me.

Diane and the jeweller are dead.
That leaves two.

- You and...

- Mennick.

- Mennick?

You can substantiate this how?

- He dropped the name
on the phone by mistake.

I think he was drunk.

And I found the jeweller.

- OK, hold the light.

It's right where
she said it was.

Somebody tried to kill her.

♪ ♪

[ Whistling and cheering ]

- You think she could've given
him the name of the necklace?

It's her word against his.

- Well, I checked
the civil suit.

- Hey, babe. The usual?

- Make it two.

- Why do we always
have to come here?

- It relaxes me.

Especially after work.

- I'm sure the girls
would be thrilled to know

they're a sedative.

- So Diane was at
a bunch of depositions.

Doesn't mean the
lawyers will notice her.

- Come on, not notice her?

- OK, they'd notice her.
- Yeah, they'd notice her.

- But why would Mennick defend
Cassie if he's the perp?

- Access to everything
the D.A.'s got on you.

- The photographs.

- No return address.

Just some public-spirited
citizen helping out.

It's too easy.

- You have about as much
chance of re-opening this case

as getting elected Cardinal.

[ Phone ringing ]

- Shatz.
- Were you there?

Do you believe me?

- I believe
you were at the store

and somebody shot at you
but I need more.

Do you have
anything else for me?

- I have a drawing.
The design of the necklace.

The one Mennick
gave the jeweller.

The jeweller died when the
place was firebombed.

I found it in the basement.

- Hold on. You're saying that
Mennick made this drawing?

- He's an artist, he studied
design. I've seen his work.

- Did he sign it?

- No.

What about fingerprints?

I mean, they'd be there,
wouldn't they?

- Maybe, but Mennick's a
married man worth millions.

And if he's designed a very
expensive gift for his mistress

I'd say he'd take precautions.

Cassie, we can't
do this much longer.

Maybe you should come in
and give me the drawing

and if his prints are ,on it,

and with Diane's
initials on the necklace,

you have a great
shot at an appeal.

- No, you're right.

He would take precautions.

- Shut the damn door!

Did you give a .45 slug to the
lab taken from an arson scene?

- Yeah.

- What case is that?

- Summers-Rose.

- Didn't we have a verdict in
that? Did I miss something?

You went behind my back!
Now I got brass up my ass!

Have you been in contact
with Cassie Stewart?

- I tried to interview
her at her apartment

after the arraignment
but she wouldn't talk.

- Well, it looks like
she's talking now.

Why isn't any of
this in your report?

- We ran out of toner.

- Do you know how many people
are looking for this girl?

- We don't know
where she is,

but I'm trying to gain her
confidence so she'll come in.

Somebody else is after her.
- And you know this how?

- Because we ID ourselves
before we start shooting.

They came that close to putting
a bullet in her head!

The .45 down in the lab.

- All right, look,
this was my call.

So let me go down and
talk to Rolly Wyker.

- You're gonna
go talk to Rolly?

He'll have you up on charges!

- Yeah. Probably.

- Your connection?

- Yeah, I know.
The connection's personal.

I didn't want to
bring in the cavalry.

- Or you didn't want Internal
Affairs to ask for your gun.

- I was the
principal on the case.

Evidence has to be checked,
even after the fact.

- Rudy Shatz isn't
running for office.

If it even looks as though
I convicted the wrong person

I can go back to Springfield,
Ohio and hang up a shingle.

- I know that, Rolly.

- Go with your lead, Detective.

Don't report to anyone higher
than me. They'll stop you.

- Thanks.

- No loose ends, Rudy.

Wrap it up by the book.

[ Phone ringing ]

- Come on...

Shatz.

- Are you tracing this call?

- No. No trace.

- But you have my number.

You could trace if you
needed to locate me.

- Yes, if you're on the phone.

- I have to go see Mennick.
I need to speak to him.

- You want to see...
Listen, Cassie...

- I need him to
incriminate himself.

I'm the only one who can do it.

If I don't he'll
get away with it.

I'm not going to try to escape.

Will you help me?

- You want back-up?

- Four more plainclothes
and some SWAT guns.

- No.

You guys are the lone wolves.

Everybody on the force is
looking for this girl

but she tells you where
she's gonna be and when.

- Yeah, that's
pretty much it.

- And she's going to see her
lawyer, just like that.

She couldn't call him?

Most people call their lawyers
on the phone. I do.

- If I'm wrong,
we've wasted a few hours.

But if I'm right,
we make an arrest.

- I don't want to
be made a fool of.

- She asked if we
could trace her phone.

McCarthy can handle that.

- And you want the SWAT?
- The guys in the black PJs.

- You know what, boss?

Rolly gave us the green light.

- That's the only
reason we're talking!

[ Knocking ]

- L.G.

- Cassie.

That's a new look for you.

- I'm sorry.

- It's all right.

- Make me a drink?

- Of course.

You took a chance
coming here.

- You wouldn't believe the
places I've been hiding.

I've had a lot of time to think

and I've come to realize it's
not that you can't trust people,

it's that you can't choose the
people you have to trust.

Do you remember one
evening you told me

it was your greatest ambition
to win a case so brilliantly

that you could never
tell anyone what you did?

Never put it in
a memoir or a book?

It would be like a rare coin you
could never show another soul.

[ Chuckling ]

- I remember.

- You would get the pretty
young defendant acquitted.

Even at your own jeopardy.

- You aren't wearing a wire?

- Nuh-uh.

That reminded me of
some dates in high school.

[ Laughing ]

You met Diane at depositions.

She was the court stenographer.

She was starting
to do to you

what Bobby was
starting to do to me.

But it wasn't until I saw what
was left of the jewelry store

that I realized you
were telling the truth.

You would do anything to win.

Not just be clever in court,

but can you do it?

Can you pull off your
most brilliant coup?

- Watch me.

- Ha!

- When you didn't show up
for the verdict, I thought,

"That's the smartest
girl I ever met."

It's exactly what
I would've done.

- I trust you because I have to.

You're my best chance.

- Yes, I am.

No one can defend
you better than me.

- Hmm.

- Cassie, can I trust you?

- I thought you'd ask me that.

I brought you a peace offering.

She said the Willow was for
sadness, the Chain for bondage.

But I've never seen a
piece so beautiful.

- Do you think you
must learn to trust

before you can learn to love?

- I'm afraid so.

- No.

Love has nothing
to do with trust

or any other virtue.

It hits you like a hot
bullet through carved ice.

Imagine at my age,

learning the wildest
season of your youth,

you were never really alive.

Not like this.

I make my living with words

but there was no way to
express myself to thank her.

So I made this.

We were going to spend
a month in Europe

where a mature man and
a much younger woman

aren't looked at judgmentally.

A month alone with her was
all I could think about.

Then that day I called to
confirm the reservation

and she had cancelled it,
cashed her ticket.

She didn't answer her phone.
I went over to her apartment.

There they were.

I must have frightened her.

She tried to get the gun
I'd given her for protection.

I took it away from her.

I told her everything could be
just as we planned it.

But she said no.

She was going away
with this boy.

The rest was just a nightmare.

The whole time
she was screaming,

calling me every vile name.

Till I saw the
life go out of her.

Then I heard the front door
open. I knew it was you.

I hid in the bathroom.
I tried to figure a way out.

And when you came down the
hall and saw the bodies,

I just panicked.

I came up behind you,
I knocked you out.

That's when I got the idea

to manipulate the
situation to save myself.

It wasn't until I
was back in my library

that I realized what I'd done.

Safe with my bourbon,

with no reason
on earth to be alive.

Until you.

- You're a rare coin.

Diane used you and
she shouldn't have.

But couldn't you
have just let them go?

- And know that those
who made a fool of me

were indulging every dream,
every passion

in a world made
perfect by my absence?

Do you believe
I could survive that?

It was a slip of
the tongue, wasn't it?

In our conversation, I meant
to say "the necklace".

And I said, "The Willow Chain".

- There was something else.

- What?

- May I?

- You've got it.

That's where it came from.

- Think he's just
gonna let her walk out?

- No. Not on her own.

- What do you think
she's doing up there?

- I have no idea.

I'm trusting her.

- Someday when this is all over,

may I wear the necklace?

- It'll be my gift to you.

With real stones.

I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to hurt you.

I've tried to atone.

- So how do we do this?

- I'll take it from here,
I'll make the calls.

I want to establish that your
surrender was voluntary.

Now I'm going to start
working on your appeal.

- The night that you
invited me to sleep over,

were you making a pass?

- I might have been
laying the groundwork.

- What terrible
timing Christina had.

- That's her trump card.

This is the best time.

No cameras, no reporters.

I'll call Rolly and
tell him to expect you.

Protection will be
provided by these men.

- Follow us in the SUV.

- Showtime.

[ Horn honking ]

OK, we're moving.
We're heading west.

- [Woman cop]: Copy that.

- That's wonderful.
Now they lost containment.

- Nine-one, are you calling
for additional back-up?

- No, we're lone wolves.
We don't need more back-up.

- We haven't been introduced.
I'm Walter Hobbs.

- OK, they're stopping.

- Hold on, they're
picking up Jerry Plett.

That's Jerry Plett.

They're picking up Jerry Plett.

- OK, we're on again. We're
going north on Lafayette.

- Copy that.

- You going
to the apartment?

[ Chuckling ]

It's the other way.

Why am I here?

Let me out.

- Jerry, we're not stopping
here. Put on your seat belt.

- L.G.

- He's not going to answer.
- Why?

- He's got caller I.D.
He knows it's you.

- I don't have to be here.

Dammit, I'm number 2
on this team!

- You know, it all goes
back to that damn necklace.

The one that he
gave the dead girl.

Guys like that, they're rich,
they're smart,

but they fall for some broad,
they go simple on you like that.

Had to give it
a name, didn't he?

Just had to give it a name.

People hear that name,
they become liabilities.

Didn't have to be this way.

- That's nothing.
I've already forgotten it.

- I know, Jer. I know.

But the boss wants insurance,
and we're insurance.

- You're a low-rent goon.

- Jerry...

Let me out of
this freakin' car!

- Where do you
think they're going?

- Hopefully downtown
to surrender.

[ Phone ringing ]

- We have company.

- So you are the one

who took the photos of
Bobby and I in the park.

- I had a guy do it.

The boss was about to go on
a cruise with that girl.

Getting a little nervous,

asked me to put a
couple of guys on her.

Saw the guy sniffing
around the apartment.

We figured he was seeing you.

- So did I.

- Changed partners
on you, huh?

You must've just about given
the boss a heart attack

when you walked into that room.

He did pretty good for
an amateur, though.

She said something
funny at the end.

"Hurry up."

He couldn't figure that.

It's when you started up with
all that actuary crap

he knew he was going to
have to throw you over.

You were going to get too close.

- Where are we going?
- The boardwalk.

I thought we'd play
some blackjack.

- You son of a bitch!
You think this is funny?

- Calm down.
- No.

I can bring you bastards down.
Pull this car over right now!

- Argh!

- Shut up, Jerry.

- I can't breathe!

- You won't die right away.

You still got a
few minutes to live.

- They're not getting a
signal from her phone.

- Come on, Cassie.
Turn on your cell phone.

- Maybe she can't.

Maybe we should take 'em.

- They're still headed
downtown, all right?

I mean, we're
looking for Wyker

to see if they made
arrangements to surrender.

- Cross them at the tunnel.

I'll phone the tow truck for
back-up, just in case.

- This ain't the way downtown.

- I know, I know.

[ Jerry moaning ]

- Where are they going?

These guys aren't
messing around.

- I got 'em.

- No! The limo! The limo!

They're trying to fool us.

- Oh God, why are
they stopping here?

- We can pick her up.

- Last time we
talked, she asked me

if we could locate her
if her cell phone was on.

- Yeah?

- Then call in and tell them
to check it again.

- I think we should take them.
- I think we should wait.

- No!

- That's gotta hurt.

- Ah...

You all right?
- Yeah.

[ Cell phone ringing ]

- It's her. It's her.

- McCarthy, we got a signal.

Start the trace.

And we need a ride.

- Listen, she's not on GPS and
she's almost out of range.

- Switch towers.

- We can't jump towers

without authorization
or a court order!

It will take time!

- We don't have time.

- Give me the bag, please.

- Tell it to the FCC!

It's a violation

of the Communications Law
Enforcement Act.

It's a privacy issue!

- Come on! We'll let her get
killed to protect her privacy?

- That's cute.

[ Beep ]

- Dammit!

- Listen, McCarthy,

just switch...

- Rudy...

We lost the signal.

- That's just great. Dammit!

- Shatz. Shatz was
our only chance.

- He can't help you, Jerry.

[ Phone ringing ]

- I had the ambition.

Didn't have the talent.

So I attached
myself to a monster.

- It's Jerry Plett.
He's giving us a signal.

- McCarthy, get a trace, and we
can't lose it this time.

- Copy that.

GPS, 5 by 5.

- Atta boy, Jerry.

- I'm so sorry, Cassie.

- Jerry?

- Miss Stewart...

Please.

Kneel down.
- No!

[ Gunshot ]

- Cassie!

Cassie, don't!

Cassie, drop the gun!
We need him alive!

Cassie...

Remember...

Keep your options open.

[ Cassie crying ]

Drop the gun.

[ Sirens ]

Atta girl, drop it.

Good girl. Come here.

[ Cassie crying ]

OK. It's OK.

[ Door opening and closing ]

- Hmm!

I appreciate the mountain
coming to Mohammed.

- I think we can do this
here as well as downtown.

- A drink?

- No, thank you.

- I risked your life.

Almost got you killed.
I'm sorry, Cassie.

- Rudy, you were the
only one that believed me.

- So apparently this necklace
of Diane Summers has a name.

[ Door opening ]

- I wouldn't know
anything about that.

My client never mentioned it.

Hello, Cassie.

- Oh yes.

I believe it's
called the Willow Chain.

- As I said, she
never mentioned it.

- She found evidence
in a jewelry store

you had Hobbs firebomb.

- And what would that be?

- A drawing of the necklace.

- Really?

I doubt you'll find my
fingerprints on it.

- Oh, but we have.

Yours were on record.

And they're a match.

- Diane once told me

when you find your island, it's
your island forever.

She meant Bobby.

He went out of her
life and came back

and it was as if
they never lost a day.

One bullet for Bobby,
4 for Diane.

Remember what she said while
you were killing her?

"Hurry up."

Bobby was dead and she didn't
want to live another moment.

Not in the same world as you.

For all of her faults,

she was someone who fell
in love once and forever.

- May I speak with
Miss Stewart alone?

- Miss Stewart?

Your conviction will be vacated

with our deepest
regret and apologies.

- You traced a copy
of my drawing!

You manufactured evidence!

- You burned it.

- I've had an opportunity

to know you, Cassie.

To learn about you.

You're not like me.
You're not anything like me.

You'll never stand up in court

and take the oath
and perjure yourself.

You won't do that.

- Watch me.

- Walter Hobbs is cooperating.

- So will my trial
be the cable epic

that puts you in
Dominic's office?

- It might.

- Bigger than O.J. Simpson.

But then, he walked.

Ah, Rolly...

What kind of
chance you think I got?

- Well, Georgie...

You're rich, you're white,

and you did it.

You figure it out.

Closed captions:Global Vision